Untitled Sermon

To remember the blood of Jesus Christ through which you have been saved

Ephesians 2:11–13 ESV

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

“Therefore,” on the basis of everything that has been said, “remember.”

Intriguingly, this is the very first imperative Paul employs in the opening three chapters, and we ought, therefore, to pay particular attention to it.

Moreover, Paul here is not introducing a new thought; he is reiterating their salvation experience, much as he did in verses 1–7.

Nevertheless, he adds a fresh dynamic to it. Here, Paul approaches the matter from a different angle.

In 2:1–10 he described the situation of all believers, here he focuses on Gentile believers alone.

Through a vivid and graphic image he depicts the status of the Gentiles before they were saved

He explains their new status with respect to God and in relationship to the privileges that Jews once experienced under the old covenant.

He points out the privileges, which the Jewish believers had and the Gentile believers didn’t because of God choosing them as His people.

He lists five of those special privileges…

separated from Christ

alienated from the commonwealth of Israel

Strangers to the covenants of promise

without hope

without God

These five privileges belong to the Jews—the Messiah, the Right to be members of God’s elected people , the Covenants, even if they failed in everything, they have hope from God that He will discipline them and restore them.

Above all, they had God with them, His Law and His Word is theirs.

But the Gentiles they did not have any of those blessings.

Paul doesn’t mean that having these privileges in and itself saved them.

However, it give them a closer access and nearness to God.

Whereas, the Gentiles did not have that access or nearness.

Paul states that they are “far off.”

Imagine for a moment with me, how big is the gulf between the continents of America and Africa, it is vastly bigger than that.

Yet again Christ to their rescue…

By the blood of Christ they were brought near not just to God, but also with God’s people.

This we will cover in greater detail in the coming days from the following verses of Ephesians 2.

Through His shed blood on the cross, Jesus bridged the gap between God and the Gentiles through His work of reconciliation

How glorious God’s grace is! What great reasons we have to be thankful to Him!

My dear ones,

You all were once Gentiles, separated from Christ, alienated from the right to be called God’s people, strangers to the covenants and promises, without hope and ultimately without GOd.

Now these all privileges, which was once only reserved for the Jews, have become yours through faith.

Because of the propitiation made by Jesus, you’re partakers of these blessings.

You are not separated from Christ anymore.

By receiving Jesus you got the right to become children of God (John 1:12–13).

You’re no more strangers to the covenants or promises. In truth, we are partakers of new covenant in Christ and we have far greater promises than them.

You have a living hope in Christ.

Above everything else, you have God and you’re His workmanship.

So, remember who you were before Christ…recollect the horrible plight you were in and appreciate God for giving you this new status in Christ.

Do you know who else God called to remember His deliverance?

It was none other than the people of Israel , the very people who possessed the Messiah, the Law, the Covenants, the Promises, and even the presence of God Himself.

Yet they failed to remember the Lord’s wondrous works and His mighty acts of deliverance. Their forgetfulness led to ingratitude, and their ingratitude to disobedience and sin.

What is your own disposition before God concerning the gift of salvation He has given you?

If you fail to appreciate His goodness in your life, you may well end up as Israel did.

First comes complacency. Then come complaints , about the little things you have and the things you don’t. And before long, other sin creeps in: jealousy over the blessings of others, greed for what you do not possess, and anger towards your own wife and children.

This is just one example of what forgetting God would do in your lives.

Therefore, remember on a daily basis, who you once were and who you are now in Christ.

Th